The Irishman (SPOILERS) | The Boneyard

The Irishman (SPOILERS)

Rico444

In the mix for six
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
8,608
Reaction Score
28,911
Who here has seen it? I watched it Wednesday night. I thought it was great, although it was a little disappointing to hear that a good chunk of what Sheeran wrote in his book is considered to be embellished (blood found at the house where Jimmy Hoffa was shot ended up being tested and found to not be Hoffa's).

Either way, it was an enjoyable movie, and I think it did a good job of not glorifying mob life. Sheeran, at the end, was basically a broken down old man with no friends whose surviving family resented him.
 
Joined
May 27, 2015
Messages
13,109
Reaction Score
86,905
Just finished watching it, thought it was slow but enjoyable. Not my favorite Scorcese but worth the time.

De Niro fighting in the beginning was tough to watch, but other than that no immediate complaints
 
Last edited:

8893

Curiouser
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
29,851
Reaction Score
96,490
Watched it yesterday on Netflix. I don’t understand how anyone could sit for 3 1/2 hours in a theater without getting up to go to the bathroom. Especially the demographic this film is going to draw.

In any event, I thought it was well-acted and it was refreshing to see such a patient and classically directed and shot film. I also enjoyed learning a lot of the details of the backstory and putting it all in context. I somehow never realized where Joey Gallo fit in all of that; I only knew of him from the great Dylan song “Joey.”

I thought Pesci did the best job of acting differently from the roles in which we‘ve grown accustomed to seeing him, but I thought the movie did a poor job generally of making him, DeNiro and Pacino look younger when their characters were supposed to be younger—I mean, unless their characters were supposed to have bad dye jobs.
 

nelsonmuntz

Point Center
Joined
Aug 27, 2011
Messages
43,953
Reaction Score
32,128
This was one of the better mob movies ever made. The only complaint is that they should have made it 10 years ago. The actors are all a little too old, but if the story and acting is good enough, I am willing to get past the limits of age reducing technology.

I thought the movie did a good job with all the key characters. This was one of Pacino's best acting jobs. Sometimes Pacino is a little over the top, but that is impossible when playing Jimmy Hoffa. Hoffa's arrogance leading to his downfall is a classic story, and Pacino did a great job with it. Pacino's Hoffa knew his arrogance would be his downfall, and yet he kept it up right until the end.

Deniro and Pesci were also excellent, as was the whole cast.

The story was much more subtle than most mob movies. Sheeran's development over the course of the movie, from immoral sociopath, to conflicted remorse and regret, was really well done.
 

8893

Curiouser
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
29,851
Reaction Score
96,490
This was one of the better mob movies ever made. The only complaint is that they should have made it 10 years ago. The actors are all a little too old, but if the story and acting is good enough, I am willing to get past the limits of age reducing technology

That’s a good way to put it. Very accurate for me, especially the “they should have made this ten years ago” part. The acting is definitely good enough but it can be hard to forget that Pacino is Pacino and De Niro is De Niro. I had an easier time forgetting that Pesci was Pesci. And I didn’t love the fake eye coloring they did to De Niro.
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2011
Messages
10,823
Reaction Score
28,245
Replying without reading the thread.

Watched the first hour and 20 minutes today. Thought I was 2 hours in and was surprised how much I have left.

- Think Pesci's performance so far is amazing.
- I'm put off by the CGI to make Deniro younger. It looks like bad plastic surgery.
- Thought the opening scene with the steady cam and long continuous shot was a little cliche to the Goodfellas Copa scene. Not sure if that was an homage or a tired 2nd attempt.
- I don't like the casting of Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa. He's basically recreating his funeral speech scene from City Hall.
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2011
Messages
10,823
Reaction Score
28,245
That said, I just rewatched the Goodfellas Copa scene 4 times and that's 24k gold.
 

Aluminny69

Old Timer
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
8,439
Reaction Score
22,228
Did anyone notice the brief appearance of CIA operative E. Howard Hunt? (Big ears?) He was shown at the Bay of Pigs and Watergate. Word is, Hunt was also involved with the JFK assassination. Frank Sturgis was also involved with all three events. I wouldn't be surprised is G. Gordon Liddy wasn't involved also.
 

Aluminny69

Old Timer
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
8,439
Reaction Score
22,228
- I don't like the casting of Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa. He's basically recreating his funeral speech scene from City Hall.
I agree. I wasn't buying Pacino as Hoffa.

Jack Nicholson did a better job portraying Hoffa, and I think Dicaprio could have pulled it off. ( After all, he portrayed J. Edgar Hoover, who was somewhat similar looking.
 
Joined
Nov 30, 2013
Messages
62
Reaction Score
94
I agree. I wasn't buying Pacino as Hoffa.

Jack Nicholson did a better job portraying Hoffa, and I think Dicaprio could have pulled it off. ( After all, he portrayed J. Edgar Hoover, who was somewhat similar looking.
Agree. Nicholson was much better than Pacino as Hoffa. Pacino basically plays a version of Pacino in every role since Scent of a Woman. Hooh-Ah!
Never thought about DeCaprio for the Hoffa role, but he would be great.
DeNiro and Pesci were both good, but I think Pesci was better. The aging CGI for DeNiro was distracting. For the action scenes, I'm not sure why they couldn't superimpose his head on a younger actor's body. It was really noticeable in the grocer scene - he's clearly moving like a 70 year old.
I'll have to watch it again to be sure, but its better than Casino but not as good as Goodfellas.
 

Aluminny69

Old Timer
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
8,439
Reaction Score
22,228
DeNiro and Pesci were both good, but I think Pesci was better.
Pesci came out of retirement to play the role. Word is, he turned it down 50 times before he was convinced to take the part...
 
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
4,085
Reaction Score
2,046
Definitely liked it but think it is overrated given incredibly glowing reviews out there. Bit too slow at times and could have been shortened up. Some dialog fell flat...the Pesci scenes with Deniro trying to get the daughter to like him were kinda creepy. Feels like you have to say it is incredibly great given the director, actors and hype but while it is very good...I just don't think it was great.

Acting-wise....Pesci was great...Deniro was OK/solid...and Pacino was mediocre as Hoffa (too much scene chewing).

I would definitely put it behind Goodfellas, Godfather 1 and 2 and Casino in terms of all time best mob movies on my list.
 

8893

Curiouser
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
29,851
Reaction Score
96,490
Definitely liked it but think it is overrated given incredibly glowing reviews out there. Bit too slow at times and could have been shortened up. Some dialog fell flat...the Pesci scenes with Deniro trying to get the daughter to like him were kinda creepy. Feels like you have to say it is incredibly great given the director, actors and hype but while it is very good...I just don't think it was great.

Acting-wise....Pesci was great...Deniro was OK/solid...and Pacino was mediocre as Hoffa (too much scene chewing).

I would definitely put it behind Goodfellas, Godfather 1 and 2 and Casino in terms of all time best mob movies on my list.
I agree but I’m curious to see how it will age with repeated viewings. I doubt I’ll ever sit through the whole thing again, but I’d certainly stop on it while channel surfing and probably get sucked in because there are so many scenes with interesting dialogue and I’d like to unpack some of them now that I have the context of the whole movie. I think the biggest problem I have is that I can’t recall a single scene as memorable as the iconic scenes of the mob movies you mentioned and several others. It’s more of a slow burn, and it’s a long time for a slow burn.
 
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
4,085
Reaction Score
2,046
I agree but I’m curious to see how it will age with repeated viewings. I doubt I’ll ever sit through the whole thing again, but I’d certainly stop on it while channel surfing and probably get sucked in because there are so many scenes with interesting dialogue and I’d like to unpack some of them now that I have the context of the whole movie. I think the biggest problem I have is that I can’t recall a single scene as memorable as the iconic scenes of the mob movies you mentioned and several others. It’s more of a slow burn, and it’s a long time for a slow burn.

Agree with all that.

Even the scene where he kills Hoffa is not memorable....
 

Dove

Part of the 2%
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
15,722
Reaction Score
45,177
DeNiro was on Colbert. Asked what scene was going to be shown DeNiro had no clue. Really seemed disinterested to even talk about the movie. Must not be happy with how it came out.
 
Joined
Nov 15, 2018
Messages
234
Reaction Score
1,303
I have to say it was enjoyable but I was a bit disappointed. The CGI aging I thought was confusing and distracting. I chuckled when Pesci called DeNiro "kid" when they first met at the gas station. DeNiro was supposed to be playing a 25 year old man during that scene. Also, DeNiro's movements were that of a 75 year old man and nothing technology can cover up. The fight scene outside of the deli was laughable when he beat the guy up. All that being said, I though Pesci, Harvey Keitel and Ray Romano were wonderful in the movie and I think Pacino was miscast. Not a movie I would watch again anytime soon. I can re watch Goodfella's and Casino over and over and over again...
 
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
4,448
Reaction Score
17,731
I've watched it twice now. Once in the theatre, once on Netflix.

I definitely enjoyed it more the 2nd time.

Overall, the movie is very good. Wasn't a huge fan of the CGI de-aging. Like others have said, it's distracting at certain points of the movie. You also don't know what age they are suppose to be.

I know people weren't huge fans of Pacino but I thought he was enjoyable as Hoffa. Maybe he wasn't the perfect fit to play him but he works for this portrayal of Hoffa.

Is it Scorsese's best? Not even close. But I would probably put the film in my top 5 Scorsese films.
 
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
1,840
Reaction Score
4,410
Watched the first two hours and I’m having a hard time motivating to watch the rest.
 
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
4,448
Reaction Score
17,731
I feel like I would need CGI de-aging if I watched it again.
Hahaha. I will admit I watched it in pieces the second time.

Also, I think a lot of people came away disappointed with this film because they saw the cast and thought it was the next Goodfellas/Casino. This film is so much different than those and not a good comparison.
 

nelsonmuntz

Point Center
Joined
Aug 27, 2011
Messages
43,953
Reaction Score
32,128
Hahaha. I will admit I watched it in pieces the second time.

Also, I think a lot of people came away disappointed with this film because they saw the cast and thought it was the next Goodfellas/Casino. This film is so much different than those and not a good comparison.

Agree 1000%. I think a lot of people want a shoot-em-up mob flick where some of the mobsters are good guys. This is not that movie.
 

nelsonmuntz

Point Center
Joined
Aug 27, 2011
Messages
43,953
Reaction Score
32,128
Irishman nominated for 5 Golden Globes: Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, Pacino and Pesci for supporting actor

I liked the movie, I don't know that I would throw a bunch of awards at it thought. I thought Pacino was great. Hard to give Scorsese best director given the run -time and the ponderous pace.
 

HuskyHawk

The triumphant return of the Blues Brothers.
Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Messages
31,859
Reaction Score
81,475
Debating whether this is worth 3.5 hours of my life. Reviews are very mixed, here and elsewhere.
 

storrsroars

Exiled in Pittsburgh
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
19,701
Reaction Score
38,377
Finally got through it on my fourth try. Some good performances, especially Pesci and Pacino, and interesting from a historical angle, but IMO there was a lot of fat that could've been trimmed from that running time, like everything involving Anna Paquin.
 

Online statistics

Members online
511
Guests online
3,214
Total visitors
3,725

Forum statistics

Threads
155,761
Messages
4,030,729
Members
9,864
Latest member
leepaul


Top Bottom